| For most everyone, gift-giving can be quite a | | | | family picture, compact disc and a phone card will |
| daunting experience. We would like to find that one | | | | help ease any signs of homesickness. Throw in a roll |
| perfect gift, but what do you get for that | | | | of quarters for laundry and put it all in a laundry |
| hard-to-buy-for person or special occasion? | | | | basket. |
| Gift Baskets are so versatile that they can be used | | | | As you are able to see, ideas for creating gift |
| for any occasion and are sure to please everyone on | | | | baskets are virtually unlimited. |
| your list. | | | | When you have chosen all the gifts for your basket, |
| Making gift baskets is an excellent way to provide | | | | it's time for the assembly. Select a container which |
| personalized gifts for friends and family. They can be | | | | will hold your gifts. The container itself doesn't have |
| fun to make and receive. | | | | to be expensive but, should fit the theme of the gift, |
| Deciding the theme of the basket is typically the hard | | | | if possible. |
| part. It's easiest to focus on hobbies and favorite | | | | If you cannot think of a special container, a laundry |
| interests, although food can also be the focus of the | | | | basket would serve a dual purpose. Some other |
| basket. | | | | items you will need for the basket are packing paper, |
| Are you looking for a gift for a gardener, a new car | | | | shredded colored paper, floral picks or even |
| owner, a college student, baby or new Mother? Gift | | | | greenery, 24"-30" clear cellophane, and curling ribbon. |
| baskets are an answer to your gift-giving prayers. | | | | You want the gifts in the basket to be visible, so |
| What kinds of items should you included in a gift | | | | you'll need to fill the bottom of the basket with |
| basket? The sky's the limit, along with your budget. | | | | wadded packing paper. Push the paper firmly in place, |
| To provide a smile to a gardener's face, include | | | | leaving the top forth of the basket exposed. |
| gloves, tools, seed packets, terra cotta pots or hat. | | | | Add shredded paper to the top of the basket. |
| You might even include a coffee mug decorated with | | | | Shredded paper is available in many colors and styles |
| flowers and herbal tea to enjoy after working in the | | | | at virtually all craft stores, however if you have |
| garden. You can put the items for this gift in a | | | | access to a paper shredder you can make your own. |
| garden basket or even in a big straw hat. | | | | Place the taller items in back, forming a "wall". Lean |
| Getting a new car is an exciting event, especially for | | | | the medium-sized items against this wall, and place |
| the first-time buyer. Help them celebrate the | | | | smaller gifts along the front rim of the basket. You |
| purchase with a gift of air freshener, car wash, | | | | can add floral picks or greenery to fill in any empty |
| chamois, tire cleaner and an ice scraper? Add a visor | | | | spaces, to enhance the overall look of the basket. |
| organizer and a silly item like a pair of fuzzy dice or a | | | | Wrap the basket with cellophane. Gather the |
| Squirrel tail for their antenna, put it all in a wash | | | | cellophane on the front and back of the basket, |
| bucket and your new car owner is set for the road. | | | | overlapping the sides towards the back. |
| Sending a friend or family member off to college? Put | | | | Use a piece of ribbon to tie the cellophane securely. |
| together a "care package" gift basket. You can | | | | Tape the sides of the cellophane down. To finish the |
| include a box of homemade cookies, a mug, hot | | | | basket add a couple more lengths of ribbon, curling |
| chocolate mix and microwave popcorn and other | | | | the ends, and attach a card. |
| snacks for those late-night study sessions. A framed | | | | |